Of course, the final winner was Kim Do-Jin. No matter how powerful Choi Mi-Na was, she could not surpass the main character buff of the novel. From Yu-Seong’s perspective as a reader, there was a small question left—whether Choi Mi-Na perhaps could really defeat Kim Do-Jin.
‘Because it didn’t seem strange even if Choi Mi-Na won, based on the descriptions or narratives at the time.’
Kim Do-Jin was A-rank when he killed Choi Woo-Jae, while Choi Mi-Na was already described as a high-leveled S-rank at the beginning of the novel. As it was the story of about two years later from that time period, maybe Choi Mi-Na had reached SS-rank. Obviously, the original novel did not mention this part at all. Perhaps it was a choice to eliminate the separation between the story and the reality for the readers.
Of course, Yu-Seong was not the only one who had doubts. Many readers did question whether the main character’s adjustment was excessive.
‘Yeah, it was a little too much at that point.’
Five years later, Kim Do-Jin was definitely stronger than Choi Mi-Na. This was because even after the fight with Mi-Na, he had grown by overcoming many other crises. He surpassed SS-rank from A-rank, achieved an EX-Rank which was the rank for ones beyond the ordinary people, and became the perfect superhuman. Moreover, he regained all the power he had accumulated in the other dimension before returning.
However, a thought suddenly came to Yu-Seong’s mind. ‘Possibly, Choi Mi-Na heard something from Ji-Ho hyung-nim?’
In the novel’s scenario in which the Comet Group mainly hindered Do-Jin’s move, there were only two people who had somewhat taken an unexpected step back, Choi Ji-Ho and Choi-Mi Na. Also, ancient relics such as Pharaoh’s Caprice were the symbol of Choi Mi-Na. A picture came to Yu-Seong’s mind at once, but it was too blurry.
As Yu-Seong shook his head inwardly, Ji-Ho tilted his head while bringing the Pharaoh’s Caprice closer to him. He asked, "Do you feel pressured or something, now that you are actually receiving it?"
“That is not it. Since now it’s mine, of course I have to take it.” Yu-Seong no longer hesitated and quickly grabbed Pharaoh’s Caprice. Then, he put it on his right palm. The cool yet cold touch of metal seemed to calm him down. He had to contain his excitement.
‘I should let go of something that’s not even certain and enjoy the present. Anyway, this precious thing has really come into my hands.’
Pharaoh’s Caprice was a B-rank ancient relic item. In a way, it seemed to be rather low-grade, but it was no exaggeration to say that it is the best treasure that can be obtained right now for Yu-Seong.
‘Because Pharaoh’s Caprice has at least three functions.’
The first function was regarding transmutation. Pharaoh’s Caprice was basically in the form of a ring, but it could be anything that belonged to inanimate objects according to the will of the wearer. It could be changed merely into a book or glasses, or even be changed significantly into a weapon or clothing.
‘On top of that, it also can save the appearance I imagined.’
The second function was the self-repair ability. Pharaoh’s Caprice was never worn out or broken completely. As it was an ancient relic, its durability was much higher than that of the general items made on Earth and it did not take long to return to its original form even if it was damaged.
From these two abilities alone one could conclude that Pharaoh’s Caprice was certainly a magnificent equipment, but the most important part for Yu-Seong was the third ability.
‘One of the few ancient relics with no wearing restrictions.’
The problem with most of the equipment of both another world’s treasure and ancient relics was that the limit of the rank for wearing it was quite high. This was the most troublesome part for Yu-Seong as he was only a level eight E-rank player.
‘As far as I can remember, the lowest ancient relic’s wearing limit was around rank-C level sixty…’
That was not even close to the current rank and level of Yu-Seong. However, there was no such limit on Pharaoh’s Caprice.
The mere fact that it had such advantages as the ancient relic with powerful performance made it valuable enough. Yu-Seong picked the ring with a slightly shaky hand and slowly inserted it into his right ring finger like Ji-Ho. The strange trembling sense of mana wrapped around his whole body like scanning and quickly disappears. There was no doubt about it. This sense was proof that this ancient relic was genuine. Yu-Seong was somewhat lost in the thrill.
Ji-Ho looked at the dazed Yu-Seong with a satisfied gaze. “The Pharaoh’s Caprice was a gift from father. I also prepared a few more gifts as an apology.”
This was not the end? Yu-Seong widened his eyes as he thought that he already had received a full and overflowing reward with Pharaoh’s Caprice alone.
“I will gratefully receive it, hyung-nim. Thank you.”
Obviously, he had no intention of rejecting the gift.
***
Since the solo face-to-face meeting between Choi Yu-Seong and Choi Ji-Ho began, the three who got kicked out of the room were standing along with a cold vibe. If one had to pick the most uncomfortable person here, it would definitely be Baek Cheol.
Baek Cheol felt like he was going crazy as he, walked on eggshells around the two people in front of him and worried about what would happen inside the room. However, it was alright for him to feel a little uncomfortable, he just had a small wish.
‘I hope the young master, Yu-Seong, is not too angry with my Master…’
Fortunately, there was no loud voice in the room yet. Perhaps the conversation must be continuing smoothly and quietly. Actually, Baek Cheol could eavesdrop on the talk if he concentrated, but he didn’t want to. This was because he thought it would be rude to both Ji-Ho and Yu-Seong.
Baek Cheol struggled to suppress his desire to jump up and down in anxiety and instead, calmly talked to the two in a cold manner. “The more I know about Young master, Yu-Seong, the more he seemed like a person of greater caliber.”
“…”
Obviously, there was no answer coming back. Baek Cheol continued to talk alone, even in a somewhat awkward situation. “I know these words will not comfort both of you. However, sadly, there is not much time left for my master to live. On the day the end comes, I will go to the young master’s side and serve him for the rest of my life no matter what happens. Please understand that I can only apologize in this way because all I have is this one body.”
Baek Cheol bowed his head deeply and clenched his fists. It did not matter how his words sounded to them. He sincerely felt sorry for the two and Yu-Seong and greatly admired him.
‘How magnificent he looked when he nonchalantly said that he had forgotten about everything even though I almost drove him to death…’
He was ashamed of the word ‘villainous hero’ that he came up with no matter how many times he thought about it. At least to Baek Cheol, Yu-Seong was a hero with a noble personality with great cause he could not dare even to imagine. A real man of virtue who knew how to sacrifice himself for others. Baek Cheol wanted to be with Yu-Seong for the rest of his life after Ji-Ho rested in peace. If he did so, he could be confident that he lived an unashamed life on the day he died. He would not be able to console them with just a few words.
Contrary to Baek Cheol’s expectations that they would remain silent, Yu-Ri opened her mouth to speak. “…Do not forget.” She turned her eyes and looked at Baek Cheol’s firm brown eyes. “The promise you made just now, you must keep it. When that time comes, you must definitely become Yu-Seong oppa‘s supporter no matter what.”
“I, Baek Cheol, had never broken any promise before.”
“I’ll believe you.”
As Jin Yu-Ri nodded with a strange smile on her lips, Ji-Ho came out from the tightly closed door with a more relaxed face. The first thing that Ji-Ho did after opening the door was to bow deeply toward Yu-Ri and Do-Yoon. He said, “I’m sorry. I would like to apologize to both of…”
Before he completed his saying, the Jin siblings hurriedly tried to stop Ji-Ho, flustered.
“There is no need to say more,” said Yu-Ri.
“Apologizing to the young master is enough, sir.”
The Jin siblings were not the only ones to be flustered.
“Master.” Baek Cheol’s eyes widened at the unexpected situation.
“I hope you don’t stop me. How much heartache have you two suffered to merely overcome my standards?”
“But you, the first young master, are Yu-Seong oppa‘s older brother. How could we receive your bow?” Yu-Ri shook her head in front of Ji-Ho with a flustered expression. “As my brother said, the apology to Yu-Seong oppa is enough.”
“…”
“Please raise your head, sir.”
Ji-Ho sighed deeply at Jin Do-Yoon’s request, and slowly raised his body.
“Cough.” At the same time, blood splattered as he coughed.
‘How bony.’
Do-Yoon suddenly looked at Ji-Ho’s shoulder. Just as Baek Cheol mentioned, the skeleton without any flesh indicated that there was not much time left in his life.
‘I heard he had lost most of his abilities after the incident... Is it the aftereffect?’
Although Ji-Ho’s representative abilities were Wind Control and future foresight, he had many more abilities that supported him to such a position. However, many of them disappeared on the day Ji-Ho got into an accident in a dungeon.
Ji-Ho suffered limb muscle vein loss, vision loss, and even mana reflux, and disappeared from the Choi family and the entire Comet Group. It was also surprising that he was hiding in such a remote place, but it was even more shocking to look at the reality that he had only heard of.
“Cough, I am sorry. I am truly sorry.” Ji-Ho continued to show his respect as much as possible even while coughing up blood. Then, he slowly leaned on the wheelchair. It was because he had moved directly again when the aftermath of last night’s excessive movement still remained.
Baek Cheol wanted to dissuade Ji-Ho, but he didn’t dare. ‘He won’t even listen to me anyway.’
The Choi family’s stubbornness was not just expressed by Choi Woo-Jae. When Baek Cheol was sighing inwardly, Yu-Seong came out as if running at the sudden cough and looked at Ji-Ho. “Hyung-nim, are you alright?”
“After resting…a bit… I’ll be fine. You don’t have to worry too much.”
“But…”
“Let’s call it a day. This is not a good place to stay for a long time.” Ji-Ho waved his hand and left as if running away. Baek Cheol hurriedly bowed his head deeply to Yu-Seong and Jin siblings then quickly followed him.
‘Is he really alright?’
Ji-Ho in the original novel would die after three years. However, looking at his back now, Yu-Seong was worried that the time might come sooner than he thought. Yu-Seong had to go through a big test and hardship, but he thought it was not easy to hate Ji-Ho when he saw the man’s tearful face in front of him. Though, it seemed that it was not simply because of just that.
‘…He is the only person in the family who cares about me with a pure heart.’
To Yu-Seong, the weight of that was by no means shallow.
‘I don’t want him to die… Would there be any way?’
It seemed that one more concern was added today, though Yu-Seong didn’t dislike that fact at all.